Chapter Twenty-Three: Traitor

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer..."

-Anonymous

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Shizune's POV

The ground slightly shook as I held on to the post of Queen Sakura's bed. When the surroundings calmed down, I immediately ran towards the window and saw a glimpse of what's happening below. My eyes widened.

The village is under attack!

BOOOM!

Explosions ressonated everywhere. I can see our ANBU squad battling the knights along with Mr. Pein's army of black clothed men. Swords clashed and kunais were flying everywhere! Far across a distance, spellcasters--led by Master Tobi-- displayed a colorful disaster to our soldiers.

Blood stained the palace walls.

I hope Shikamaru are guarding the entrance well.

"Meoooowww..." I turn around, and noticed Yumi brushing her nose on Queen Sakura's belly. I furrowed my brows and approached the animal. "What is it, Yumi? Get down from there... the Queen is in a deep sleep, okay? So..."

"Meow..."

She purred and I don't know if I'm just imagining things.. but she glared at me. Her eyes sharp and carried the words she couldn't be able to translate. Out of instinct, I placed my hand on the Queen's stomach and concentrated on that area.

I gasped.

So.. that's it.

"The King needs to be informed!"

-*-

Sasuke's POV

SLING!

Metal clashed with metal when our swords collided. Instantly, I dodged his puppet's attack on my right and leaped away from him. A smirk playing on his lips.

"Getting rusty, Sasuke? When was the last time you engaged in a fight, huh?"

I glared at the redheaded knight as a white horse galloped towards him. I gripped the end of my katana and charged at him.

In one swift movement, he used his puppets for defense. I tried to look for an opening but another puppet attacked me from underneath the ground. The impact threw me a couple of yards away.

"Dammit."

I stood up, gripping my left arm, enduring the fracture.. That bastard. "WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER?!" I yelled and picked up my katana lying on the ground. Sasori shook his head in amusement and rapidly threw a kunai my direction.

I dodged it but it was then did I realize that it wasn't aimed at me.

I spun around and saw Shizune-san, frozen on the spot.  But just when I was about to push her away, another kunai came out of nowhere and deflected the one Sasori threw.

Me and Shizune both looked at the man who saved her....errr.... woman, who saved her.

Brown eyes met mine.

"Tenten!"

She waved at our direction and glared at the enemy. "Psh. My husband and I came for a visit, and this is what we're gonna encounter? Ugh." The brunette pulled some scrolls from her back.

"Sasuke, Neji-kun is helping Pein and the others."

I nodded and was about help her out when Shizune stopped me by grabbing my arm. I raised an eyebrow at her. "What is it?"

Worry visible in her eyes. "King Sasuke, I have something to tell you!"

"Can you tell me after the war? As you can, we are in the middle of a battle----"

"It's Queen Sakura, sir!"

I tensed at the mention of my wife's name. Suddenly, fear crept its way to my chest. Please don't tell me..

"What?"

Shizune-san replied, "Don't worry. She's fine, sir. But she's.... two weeks pregnant."

Instantly, my eyes widened at what she said. Her words rang in my ear. Two weeks pregnant. I can feel the weight being lift off my chest and a sheer emotion filled my heart.

She's pregnant... two weeks.. with our child. Another Uchiha heir.

If not for the situation, I'd do a happy dance. A smile appeared on my face.

"Thank you for the news.. now, please go back to where the queen is." Was the only thing I could say.

I'm happy that Sakura is pregnant.. but, this only means that she needs to be guarded more strictly now. I asked Shizune to order Naruto and two other ANBU officers to guard Sakura's room.

After Shizune left, I gripped on my sword tighter. Giving Sasori my deadliest glare, I growled,

"We need to end this."

But the ironic thing is.. he didn't seem to be bothered at all. I have a bad feeling about this.

-*-

Ryoku's POV

"Ryo! Where are you going?!"

Auntie Ino asked as I passed her by the hospital. But instead of halting, I ignored her and paced up. That traitor better not do anything risky, or else! "There!" I yelled and spotted a man standing in an alley.

He had his back turned against me, but even so, I can easily recognize the ANBU uniform he wore.

I glared hard. "BASTARD!! I bet you're the one who helped the rogues access the village! No wonder we got caught off guard, dattebayo!"

The man snickered. "Foolish little boy... you just don't get it, huh? Oh well, see you later-----"

"GAAAAH!"

I shouted and threw a shuriken at him. The weapon pierced his back but what shocked me more is the fact that his body dispersed into a cloud of smoke. I stepped closer and got beyond pissed when I saw a log.

Damn subsitution jutsu..

I sighed and turned around. And then, I saw a knight lying on the ground. He was about to stand up when I whistled at him. I pulled out a kunai and smirked.

"Now, where's Daisy-chan?"

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